Date: Sunday, October 6 Venue: Carrow Road Kick-Off: 13:30 Can Chelsea preserve their long unbeaten run against Norwich when they travel to Carrow Road in the Premier League this weekend?
Team News
Norwich could be without Sebastien Bassong after the defender injured his hamstring a couple of weeks ago. Manager Chris Hughton could also be without Javier Garrido and Nathan Redmond, who both missed the win at Stoke due to injury. Chelsea will be without suspended and injured striker Fernando Torres, who is set to be out for up to three weeks. Eden Hazard is an injury doubt, meaning Juan Mata could start. (BBC)
Key Stats
The last Norwich won in this fixture was a 3-0 Premier League victory in December 1994. Chelsea have exactly the same league record as they had at this stage in 2007-08, when Jose Mourinho left Chelsea after his first stint in charge (W3, D2, L1). The Canaries have scored the joint-fewest goals (four) in the division this season. Chelsea won 1-0 at Carrow Road on Boxing Day last season, thanks to a fine winner from Juan Mata.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho could consider himself fortunate to still be in a job. The "Special One" has an identical run of results in the Premier League to the opening six games of the 2007-08 season, form which ultimately led to his departure by mutual consent. Things haven't always been easy for the Blues this term. A defeat in the opening round of the Champions League was preceded by defeat to Everton, leaving the Londoners fifth in the table. They also have a strike force who haven't scored a Premier League goal so far this season. Of Chelsea's last 26 league goals, only one has been scored by a recognised striker - Fernando Torres - who is out of this encounter. Fortunately, however, the Blues could be in for some respite, for they come up against a side this weekend who have not beaten them since 1994 and who have scored the joint-fewest goals in the division this season. However, the Canaries did beat both Arsenal and Manchester United at Carrow Road last term, and could yet prove a stern test for Mourinho's men.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
